Claude c



(No Model.) A 2 Sheets-Sheet l. C. 0. GOULD.

4 I TELEPHONE SWITH BOARD. N0. 392,326.

Patented Nev. 6`, 1888.

' Z5/we?? Zor llllv /MZ v r L N. PETERS. Pmemfwgnphur. wnhinnnn. D. c

2 Sheets-@Sheet 2.'

(No Model.) C. C. GOULD. TELEPHONE SWITCH BOARD.

WZZ-arn e36.

UNITED STATES A5PATENT OFFICE.

CLAUDE C. GOULD, OF BATAVIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE EASTERN ELECTRICAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF WHEATFIELD, NEW YORK.

TELEPHONE SWITCH-BOARD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 392,326, dated November 6, 1888.

Application filed December22, 1887. Serial No. 258,638. (No model.) I

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CLAUDE C. GoULD, of Batavia, in the county of Genesee and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Telephone Switch-Boards, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in that class of telephone switch-board systems in which each subscribers line is provided at the central office with a movable terminal which is automatically moved out of its normal position solas to break the ground-connection upon sending a current through the line. Switch-board systems of this -kind are described and shown in Letters Patent of the United States Nos. 355,928 and 355,929, granted to C. C. Gould and W. Smith, dated January ll, 1887.

The object ofmy invention is to provide a simple switch system of this character,in which the movements required in the operation of connecting subscribers are reduced to a minimum.

My invention consists to these ends of the improvements, which will be hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of two sheets, Figure l is a fragmentary crosssectional elevation of a switch-board provided with my improvement. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section in line' x, Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section in line y y, Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a cross-section of one of the plugs on an enlarged scale. Fig. 5 isafront elevation of two switchboards arranged side by side, showing the manner of connecting subscribers lon different boards. Fig. 6 is a modified construction of the plug.

Like letters of reference refer tolikc parts in the several figures.

A represents the upright portion and A the horizontal or table portion of the switchboard. The table portion A is provided with depressions or cavities, in which the subscribers7 plugsv B are held in a vertical position by weights B and cords b.-

C represents theannunciator, which is supported upon al shelf, c, extending backwardly from the rear side of the upright portion A.

C represents the annunciator-frame, which consists of a base, c', and two standards, c2 c3, formed with or secured to the base c'.

c4 c5 represent the coils secured horizontally to the front standard, c2.

d represents the vibrating armature pivoted at d to the upper end of the rear standard, c3, and provided with a horizontal arm or lever,

d?, projecting forwardly beyond the upright portion A.

E represents the apron or drop of the an- 6o nunciator arranged on the front side of the portion A. The apron E is pivoted at its lower end to a horizontal plate, e, formed on the front standard, c2, and projecting forwardly through an opening formed in the upright portion A. The apron E is held in an elevated position by a nose or hook, d3, formed on the outer end of the horizontal lever d2 of the armature d.

e represents a horizontal lip formed near the lower end of the apron E, on the rear side thereof, and which is adapted to strike against the upper side of the horizontal plate e and limit the backward movement of the apron. The lip e is preferably cast integral with the 75 apronE and made of such athickness as to permit the same to be easily bent to properly adjust the backward movement of the apron.

e2 represents a light tension-spring secured at one end to the lever cl2 of the armature d and 8o at its opposite end to an adjusting-screw, e3, secured to the front standard, c2, of the annunciator-frame. The screw e3 projects forwardly through an opening in the upright portion A, and is arranged in line with and in rear of an opening, e, formed in the apron E. The opening e1 permits of the introduction of a screwdriver when it is desired to turn the screw e3 to regulate the tension of the spring e.

F represents a metallic switch-lever pivoted 9o at its rear end to a standard, F, secured to the upper side of the shelf c;

f represents an upwardly and downwardly curved armformed on the front end of the leverF and terminating in a hook,f. Thelatter engages against the lower side of a crossbar, f, of a non-conducting link, f3, secured to the inner end of a horizontally-movable locking-bolt, g. The locking-bolt g is guided in openings formed in the annunciator-frame C roo and projects with its outer end through an opening formed in the upright portion A of the switch-board.

It represents a tongue or tail-piece formed on the apron Il below its pivot, and which is adapted to strike against the bolt g and move the latter backwardly out of engagement with thehookfof the'switch-lever F when the apron Eis released. The backward movement of the locking-bolt g is limited by a pin, g', which strikes the standard e2. The locking-bolt r/ is held in a forward position by a spring, g, interposed between a pin, f/f, and the standard c3 of the annuneiator-frame C. The lockingbolt r/ is held from turning by a dat rearwardlyprojecting car, g, formed on the rear standard, c3, ol' the annunciator-frame adjacent to the lower dat side of the link f,

H represents a spiral spring secured at one end to the switch-lever F and at its opposite end to a metallic angle-plate, t', attached to the shelf c. The spring H is secured to the plate yi by means of an adjusting-screw, i', whereby the tension of the spring can be regulated. The spring II causes the switch-lever F to swing upwardly on its pivot when released from the locking-bolt g.

I represents the main line connected with the subscribers instrument J and with the annunciator C, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

K K represent two tlat contact-springs secured to the under side of the shelt` con opposite sides of an arm or finger, 7c, formed on the switch-lever F below the curved arm f. 'lhe arm k projects downwardly through an opening, k', formed in the shelf c. The contactspring K is connected with the annunciator C by the main line I, and the contact-spring K is connected with the ground by a wire, l.

l represents a transverse metallic pin secured to the arm k of the switch-lever F by a non-conducting ring or bushing, Z2.

As shown in Fig. 2, the contact-springs K K are connected by means of the metallic pin Z when the switch-lever is locked by the bolt g. Upon releasing the switch-lever from the locking-bolt g the armkof the switch-lever is raised from contact with the springs K K', and the ground-connection is broken.

L represents a wire connecting the contactspringKwith the cord b of the plug B.

m represents the handle or non-conducting portion of the plug B, and m. the metallic stem of the same secured to the handle m by a screw-threaded shank, on?.

m3 represents a longitudinal opening formed in the handle fm, through which the cord bis introduced. The latter passes upwardly through the opening nf of the handle m, and is wound or curled at m* around the shank m?, and is securely held in place by a metallic contact-cap, mf, which ts snugly over the upper end of the plug B, and is held thereon by a shoulder, nl, formed on the stem on. The shoulder m of the stem m causes the cap m5 to compress the curled portion m4 of the cord b and firmly secure the same in the handle, so

as to form a reliable contact between the parts. If desired, the shoulder mG of the stem m of the plug may be dispensed with, and the cap m5be provided with an internal screw-thread, and the plug B with an external screw-thread, as clearly shown in Fig. 6.

N represents an arm formed on the rear end of the switch-lever F, and projecting downwardly through an elongated opening, n, formed in the shelf c, and bearing with its lower curved end against a ilat metallic contactspring, N, secured to the under side of the shelf c.

n represents a wire connecting the contact; N with the main line I.

N2 represents the local outsocket, constructed of non-conducting material and moving in a sleeve, n?, secured to the upright portion A. The socket N2 is made tubular and slightly daring at its outer end, to facilitate the introduction of the plug B into the same.

n represents a metallic contact-spring scoured to the rear end of the socket N2 by an ear, n, and a screw-threaded shank, a5, and arranged with its curved front end in the opening of the socket N2.

a represents a wire,which connects the contact-spring n of the outsocket Nz with the main line I. Each section or switch board is provided with as many local outsockets N'l as there are subscribers arranged on said board.

N3 represents a non conductive bar secured at one end to the ear nt of the socket N2, and pivoted at its opposite end to the lower end of the arm N of the switch-lever F. The bar N causes the socket N'Az to move outwardly to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. l, when the switch-lever F is released from the locking-bolt, and this movement ofthe socket notities the operator that a subscriber has called.

O O represent two pedals arranged side by side and pivoted in standards o, secured to a cross-bar, o', and held in an elevated position by suitable springs, o2.

P represents the operators listening-telephone connected by Wires p p' with contactsprings p2 p3,respectively. The contact-springs p2 p are secured to the cross-bar o underneath and in line with two similar contact-springs, p p5, secured to the under side of the pedal O.

Q represents the generator connected by wires q q with contactsprings q2 g3, respectively. rlhe contact-springs q2 fj* are secured to the cross-bar o underneath and in line with two similar contact-springs, q q, secured to the under side ofthe pedal O.

q represents a wire connecting the contactpoint p* of the pedal O with the ground, and rf represents a wire connecting the contact q' of the pedal O with the ground.

R R represent thimbles or linger-ti ps constructed,prefe1ably,of pliable non-conductive material, and which are adapted to be applied to the index-finger of both hands of the operator.

r represents metallic contactsurfaces secured in any suitable manner to the thimbles IOO IIO

IIS

IZO

RR, and which are adapted to be pressed against the metallic caps m5 of the plugs B. The contact-surfaces@1 are connected by a conducting-cord, r', which passes over the shoulders of the operator.

r2 represents a wire or cord extending,pref crably, upward from the central rear portion ofthe shoulder-cord r to a suitable point above the switch board, as shown in Fig. 5, and which is connected at its lower end by a wire, r, with the contact-point p5 of the pedal O, and with the contact-point 'Q5 of the pedal O by a wire, 1"".

It* represents non-conductive thimbles secured to the thumbs of the operator to lessen the liability of shocks. If desired, however, the metallic contact-surfaces?1 may be secured to the index-fingers of gloves to be worn by the operator; but I prefer the construction shown as it is less cumbersome. If desired, the thimbles may be dispensed with on one or the other hand, as the operator may desire; but by having them on both hands the operator is enabled to use the thinible onthe hand located nearest to the plug to be used, whereby the operation of connecting the subscribers is greatly facilitated.

In Fig. l of the drawings the pedal O is shown in a depressed position, showing the hand contact-points 1 connected with the operators listening-telephone P; but the contactsprings of both pedals O O are held out of l engagement with the contact-springs 192193 and q2 g3 of the cross-bar o by the springs o2 when the pedals are in their normal position.

S represents outsockets secured in the upright portion A, below the sockets N2.

Eachvswiteh board orsection is provided with as many outsockets S as there are subscribers terminals arranged on the other sections or tables in the same exchange. Each outsocket S is provided with a contact-spring, s, which is connected with the switch-lever F of the subscriber,which it represents by a wire, s', an angle-plate, t', and a spring, H, as clearly shown in Fig. 5, and these sockets are numbered to correspond with that of the switchlever F with which they are connected.

T represents a contact-spring arranged underneath the sheli` c in front of the arm N of the switch-lever F, and t represents a V -shaped contact-surface for-med on the arm N of the switch-lever F,` and which is adapted to engage against the spring T and form a contact therewith when the switch-lever F is released from the locking-bolt g.

t represents a wire which connects the contact-point 'I with the main line I. l

U, Fig. 3, represents the night-bell connected by a wire, u, with a switch-lever, u', of a switch, U', and by a wire, n?, with the battery a3.

Y a4 a5 represent spring-contacts arranged opposite and below a short rearwardly-projecting arm, u, formed on the lever F, and which are secured to the top of the shelf c.

al represents a laterally-projecting contactpin secured to the arm a of the switch-lever F, and adapted to connect the contact-springs u* a5 of the night-bell circuit when the switchlever F is released from the locking-bolt g.

as represents a wire connecting the contactspring a5 with the-battery a3, and a9 represents a wire connecting the contact-spring a4 with a dead contact-point, uw, of the switch U.

Figs. l and 2 represent the parts of the switch in their normal position, and the subscribers main line I is connected with the ground at the central oflice by the contactspring K, lateral pin Z', contactspring K', and wire Z.

In making a connection between two subscribers arranged upon the same board or section the operation is as follows: Vhen the subscriber calls the central oiice, the vibration `of the armature d vreleases the apron E, which causes the tongue h of the apron to strike against the free outer end of the locking-bolt g and move the latter backwardly out of engagement with the hook f of the switch-lever F. The latter is now swung upwardly by the spring II which disconnects the contact-springs K K and breaks or opens theline. Ihisupwardmovementoftheswitchlever causes the lower curved end of the arm ls of the switch-lever to strike against the end of the link f and move the locking-bolt g forwardly, so as to cause the latter to strike against the tongue hof the apron E and return the same to its elevated position in engagement with the hook d ofthe armature d. The line being open, the calling subscriber can no longer ring his bell, and from this fact he knows that his call has been received at the central office. The subscribers call is made known to the operator by the calling subscribers outsocket N2 moving forward to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. l. The operator now depresses the pedal O to the position shown in Fig. 1, and at the same time grasps the calling subscribers plug B, so as to form a contact with the metallic cap m5 thereof by the hand-contact r. rIhe operators listening-telephone is no'w connected with the calling subscribers line I by the contact-spring K, wire L, cord b, metallic contactcap m5 ofthe plug B, handcontact r, shouldercord 1" wire r2 branch wire r3 Jedal contact-spring 115, stationary contact-spring p3, wire p', listening-telephone I, return-wire p,

.stationary contact-spring p2, pedal contactspring p", and wire q to the ground. When the operator has ascertained with whom the calling subscriber desires to be connected, she releases the pedal O, so as to break the connection with the listening-telephone, and retains her grip on the cap mi of the plug B of the calling subscriber, and inserts the shank m ofthe same into the outsocket N2 ofthe called subscriber suiliciently to form a contact with the spring n3 thereof, thereby connecting both subscribers. At the same time that she performs this"lastmentioned operation she de presses the opposite pedal, O', and thereby connects the generator with the main lines of both subscribers, ringing them simultaneously. llhe generator Q, is connected in this mannerwith the mainline by the calling subscribers contact-spring K, wire Il, cord b, plug B, as above described, hand-contact r, shoulder-cord o", wire i2, branch wire i, pedal contact-spring g5, contact-spring q, wire q', generator Q, returnwire q, contact-spring q2, pedal contact-spring qt, and wire q1 to the ground. By t-hus placing the calling subscribers plug B into the outsocket N2 of the called subscriber and connecting the generator the called subscribers armature is caused to vibrate, Aand releases the apron E and switch-lever F of the called subscriber. The upward movement of this switch-lever F again replaces the called subscriberss apron E in the same manner asin the case ofthe calling subscriberls first call, and the continued vibration of the calling subscribers armature causes his apron E to again fall and remain in this fallen position.

By releasing the switch-lever F ofthe called subscriber, as above described, his outsocket Nl is moved forwardly to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. l. The operator now fully inserts the shank m of the calling subscribers plug into the socket N2 of the called subscriber, the plug being held from moving backward sufiicient to again replace the ground-connectiou by an inclined nose orhook, s2, formed on the lowerside ofthe outsocket N2, and which strikes against a shoulder or pro `iection, s, formed on the sleeve n?. The operator now releases the plug B and allows the pedal O to return to its elevated position, thereby breaking the connection with the generator. The operator now imparts a rapid backward movement to the calling subscribers outsocket N, which causes the lower curved end of the arm 7c of the switch-lever F to be moved downwardly sufficient to strike against the rear end of the locking-bolt g, and thereby cause the latter to move forward so as to replace the fallen apron to its elevated position in engagement with the hook d of the armature, ready to be rung ofi". The switchlever F and outsocket Nz are again returned to their abnormal position by the spring H as soon as the operator releases the socket N2. The calling and called subscribers instruments are now connected by the calling subscribers main line I passing to and through his annunciator C to the contactspring K, wire L, plug B, called subscribers outsoeket N2, wire n, and called subscribers main line I.

\Vlien the subscribers ring off the calling subscribers armature d is again vibrated, the apron drops,and remains in this position, thus notifying the operator that the subscribers have finished. The operator now removes the plug B from the outsocket N2 of the called subscriber and replaces the switch-levers F of both subscribers and the apron E of the called subscriber by si lnply raising the outsockets N2 sufficiently to allow the depending inclined outsocket N2 of the called subscriber before depressing the pedal O and connecting the generator Q with the hand contact-surfaces r.

If a subscriber is wanted whose terminal is located on some other section or table, the operator inserts the plug B ofthe calling lineinto the outsocket S of the called line and retains lier grip on the plug B, as above described. The calling subscriber is now connected with the called subscribers actuating mechanism from the calling subscribers main line I, to and through his annunciator C,to the contactspring K, wire Il, calling subscribers plug B, called subscribers outsocket S, wire s', angleplate t, actuating-spring H, switch-lever F and arm N thereof, contact-spring N wire a, to called subscribers mainline I, to and through his annunciator C,by the contact-springs K K and lateral contact-pin Z', to the ground by the wire Z. The operator now depresses the pedal O and connects the generator Q with both lines by applying the haudcontaet r to the plug B. This last movement causes the aprons h1 of both subscribers to fall and remain in this fallen position by the continued vibrations of rlhis fallen position of the the armature (l. apron E of the called subscriber notifies the operator at the section or table on which the called subscribcrs terminal is located that this subscriber is being handled by an operator on some other section 0r table. By thus applying the generatorthe connection between the subscribers is completed by the lever F of' the called subscriber being released from the locking-bolt g and breaking this subscribers ground at the central office. The upward movement of the switch-lever F and the forward movement of the arm N thereof breaks the connection between the latter andthe contact-spring N and connects the arm N with the contactspring'll,w1re t', and main line I. The subscribers are now connected by the calling subscribers main line I to and through his annunciator to the plug B, as above described, called subscribers outsocket S,wire s', angleplate t', actuatingspring H, switch-lever F and arm N thereof, contact-spring T, Wire t', main line I, to and through annuneiator C, to the called subscribers instrument. The operators now replace the fallen aprons E of both subscribers by imparting a rapid backward movement to the sockets N2, as above de scribed.

Vhen two or more subscribers are located upon the same line and one of said subscribers calls the central office, causing the apron to fall and release the switch-lever, as above described, and the operator ascertains that said subscriber desires to be connected with an- IIO other subscriber arranged upon the same line, she again replaces the ground by moving the outsocket N2 of this line backwardly to its normal position, as above described. The operator now locks the switch-lever F and outsockets N2 by turning a hook, a7, arranged above the socket, to a vertical position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The calling subscriber can now call the subscriber wanted b y ringing his bell the required number of times in the usual manner. The operator now raises the fallen apron ready to be rung off. When the subscribers have rung off, the operator releases the socket N2 by turning the hook nl back to its horizontal position and again re` places the socket N2 to its normal position ready for another call.

I claim as my inventionl. rlhe combination, with the main line and a plug connected therewith, of a hand-contact adapted to be applied to said plug, a generator, a stationary contact-point connected with said generator, and a movablecontact-point connected with the hand-contact and adapted to engage with the stationary contact-point, whereby the generator is connected with the hand-contact, substantially as set forth.

2. rlhe combination, with the main line and a plug connected therewith, of a hand-contact adapted to be applied to said plug, an operators listening-telephone, a stationary contactpoint connected with said listening-telephone, and a movable contact-point connected with said hand-contact and adapted to engage with the stationary contact-point, whereby the listening-telephone is connected with the handcont-act, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with the main line and the plug connected therewith, of a hand-contact adapted to be applied to said plug, a generator, an operators listening-telephone, stationary contact-points connected with the generator and with the operators listeningtelephone, and movable contact-points connected with the hand-contact and adapted to engage with said stationary contact-points, whereby the generator and the listening-telephone are connected with said handcontact, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, with the main line and the plug B, of the thimble R, provided with a hand-contact, r, a cord, r', connected with the hand-contact, and a wire, r, leading to the switch, whereby said hand-contact is connected with the generator and the operators listening-telephone, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination, with the main line and lthe plug connected therewith, of a thimble, R, provided with a contact, r, a cord, r', connected with said hand-contact, contacts q2 g3, connected with the generator, a pedal, O', provided with movable contacts g4 g5, adapted to engage against the contacts q2 g3 when in a depressed position, a wire, gl, connecting the movable contact g4 with the ground, and a wire, r3, whereby the movable contact g5 is with the generator, pedal O, having contacts Vp, adapted to connect with thehand-convtact r and with the contacts p2 p3 of the listening-telephone, and a pedal, O, having contacts q* Q5, adapted to connect the hand-c011- tact r with the contacts Q2 Q3 of the generator, substantially as set forth.

.7. The combination, with the stationary contacts p2 p3 and q2 g3, of the pedal O, having contacts P4105, adapted to connect, respectively, with the contacts p2p, a pedal, O', having contacts g* g5, adapted to connect, respectively, with the contacts q2 g3 and springs o2, whereby the pedals O O are held in an elevated position out of engagement with the stationary contact-points, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination, with the main line and a contact, K, connected therewith, of a pivotcd switch-lever, a contact secured to said switch-lever and connecting the contactK with the ground, a locking-bolt, g, whereby the switch-lever is held in adepressed position, an annunciator interposed in said main line, an apron connected with-the armature of said annunoiator and having a depending lip adapted to strike against the locking-bolt g when said apron is released, and thereby release the switch-lever Ffrom the locking-bolt and breaking the ground-connection of the main line substantially as set forth.

9. The combination, with the main line and a pivoted switch-lever having a contact connecting the main line with the ground, alocking-bolt, whereby said switch-lever is held in its normal position, an apron, E, adapted to release said locking-bolt and the switch-lever, an arm, lc, whereby said apron is returned t0 its elevated position, and an actuating-spring,

IOO

whereby the switch-lever is held in its abnormal position, substantially as set forth.

10. 'Ihe combination, with the annunciator mechanism and the locking-bolt, of a switchlever connected with the locking-bolt, and a contact-socket which is connected with said switch-lever and moved out of its normal position when s aid switch-lever is released, substantially as set forth. l

11. In a switch-board system, the combination, with the main line I and the annunciator mechanism, of an outsocket, S, a switch-lever, F, a wire, s', whereby the socket S is connected with the switch-lever F, and contact N', connecting said switch-lever with the main line I, substantially as set forth. 12. In a switch-board system, the combination, with the main line I and the annunciator mechanism, of an outsocket, S, aswitchlever, F, a wire, s', whereby the socket Sis connected with the switch-lever F, a contact, N', connecting said switch-lever with the main line when the lever is in its normal position, connected when said switchdever is in an :tbro and a contact, T, whereby the switch-lever is normal position, substantial] y as set forth.

connected with the main line when in an ab- Witness my hund this 23d day of November, normal position, substantially as set forth. 1887. 5 1S. In a switch-board system, the combina- I CLAUDE C. GOULD tion, with the main line and the switchlever F, of a night-bell, U, contacts u* us, connected with said night-bell, and contact-pin u, ofthe switclrlevor F, whereby the contacts yuf u are I FRED. C. GBYER. 

